Paphos People

CARROTS
The Winchecombe and District Annual Agriculture show was the highlight of the farming community in the County. The brownie points gained by the farmers, for the livestock, labourers for the produce, farmer’s wives for cakes, pies, preserves, pickles all made from produce from the farm and of course the children for care of lambs calves and chickens all made for a good day out.
Competition was keen between the various farms and generally good natured banter was exchanged over a jar of beer or cider in the hospitality tent. The ploughing contest was hotly contested, with tractors gleaming and the straightness of the furrows being measured and compared by the judges. The special event was the historical horse ploughing and always fought between the two largest farms in the area.
The first was Church Farm from Little Swindon which had ‘The Colonel’ a magnificent shire horse which had won the trophy for the last ten years and was always immaculately turned out. He was driven by the farmer Mr Robert White who was himself immaculate in his tweed suit, bow tie and bowler hat.
The second was Brook Farm from Woodchester which had ‘Major’ another shire who had come second for the last five years again immaculately turned out. He was driven by Diana Briggs after Farmer Briggs arthritis meant that he couldn’t control Major any more. She was his youngest daughter aged just twenty one, gaining experience each year and waiting for the opportunity to lift the trophy for the event.
Diana’s greatest helper and admirer was Benny, a simple lad who was generally regarded as the village idiot. He didn’t get on at school preferring to go to the woods and hang out with some of the old men and women of the village, picking up the old country skills and crafts. The result of this was that he couldn’t read or write or do arithmetic. However he could build a haystack, lay hedges, build and repair Cotswold stone walls and he made the corn dollies at harvest time. A scarecrow built by Benny would last at least two years he was indeed a country craftsman.
Absolutely besotted with Diana he helped with Major, grooming him, and making sure that he was always up to scratch. Farmer Briggs could see how useful he was around the farm and he became ‘one of the family.’
Preparation for the county show was an intensive time for Diana and Benny and Major of course. Benny would stand at the edge of the field holding the marker while Diana would drive Major with the plough towards him. Furrow after furrow they would practice, then take a break for what else but a ploughman’s lunch.
“I do reckon you will win the competition this year Miss Diane” said Benny with a huge lump of cheese in one hand and a chunk of crusty bread in the other.
“Let’s hope so, I’m getting better every year and I would be so proud to bring home the gold for Dad’s sake” replied Diana “Come on Benny let’s do two or three more then call it a day”
Benny was deep in thought as they ploughed the field three more times.

That afternoon as Benny groomed Major, Farmer Briggs came over.
“He’s looking good Benny, are you all ready for the show?”
“Yes sir...um can I ask you something?”
“Of course lad what is it?”
“What’s the best sort of gold you can get?”
“Twenty four Carat, that’s the top of the list, Why?”
“Nuffin really” said Benny puzzled but still deep in thought.

Saturday dawned and the sun shone on the Agriculture show and everybody had a grand time. Cider was drunk and picnics were eaten and then the games were played, the tug-o-war knock out competition was won again by Andoversford village, skittles, darts and horseshoe throwing all made for a great time.
A bell was rung very loudly gathering people together.
“Ladies and Gentlemen the ancient skill of horse ploughing is about to take place, let’s all gather round the field”
Already lined up were Farmer Robert White with Colonel and Diana Briggs with Major. At the other end of the field there were Benny and John White each holding their marker.
It wasn’t a race, more a test of skill and concentration. Finally the two furrows were ploughed and the judges entered the field having been sequestered during the competition. Setting up the theodolite they carefully measured the straightness of both the channels. Then they checked the depth. After consultation the three judges held up a green flag on the winning furrow. The crowd started to applaud as Robert White stepped up to collect the trophy once again. Diana sportingly applauded as well and patted Major enthusiastically. Benny waited while the farm hands took the harness and plough off Major.
“Never mind Miss Diane, you did well and so did Major.” He said “I’ve got a special reward for both of you.”
Reaching into the horsebox he pulled out a huge intricately woven horse collar made from straw, flowers, vegetables and farm crops and placed it around the horse’s neck.
“That’s the Benny Hawkins gold award for the best ploughman I made it myself.”
“Where’s the gold in that?” said Mr Briggs
“Well it’s got twenty four carrots in it!” said Benny with a huge smile.